University of Michigan

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Briar Woods High School

Loudoun County Academy of Science

Automation Engineer

Cytiva is a Danaher operating company and global provider of technologies and services that advance and accelerate the development, manufacture, and delivery of therapeutics. Cytiva's portfolio encompasses equipment and solutions for chromatography with proteins, mAbs, and mAb-derived molecules, bioprocess filtration, cell cultures, protein analysis, and diagnostics among other critical needs in the life sciences industry. The products that Cytiva offer empower biopharma R&D and manufacturing that ultimately improve human health.

I am an automation engineer for a state-of-the-art chromatography resin manufacturing facility that is being constructed in Muskegon, MI. My high-level directives include:

• Ensure product meets Cytiva quality standards and facility operation maintains compliance to Good Automated Manufacturing Practices (GAMP)
• Participate in Computer Systems Validation (CSV) testing of the installation and operation of process automation systems to verify they meet user and system requirements.
• Develop and maintain process and system documentation for use in technology transfer, including functional specifications, design specifications, risk assessments, and standard operating procedures.
• Act as a technical leader in training site personnel for competence in operating the site's various process automation systems, including Emerson DeltaV, ABB 800xA, and Rockwell PlantPAx.
• Lead facility continuous improvement, capital upgrades, and optimization efforts after project delivery is complete.
• Manage lifecycle administration for virtualized process automation systems on a hyperconverged Operational Technology (OT) infrastructure and maintenance activities for automation hardware

Cytiva

Cognizant Life Sciences Manufacturing provides scalable IT/OT, end-to-end smart factory solutions, from conception through completion across the entire manufacturing lifecycle. specializes in GMP Manufacturing with the delivery and support of Automation, Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) and Digital Technologies. Cognizant solutions manage, control and optimise pharma & biotech production, creating robust systems with maximum operational efficiency and regulatory compliance.

My systems integration project work with Cognizant involved the SDLC development, testing, and on-site commissioning & qualification (C&Q) of the DeltaV control system in a new vaccine manufacturing facility as the automation clean and black utilities lead engineer, and supporting all other process suites (product fermentation, upstream clarification, and downstream purification).

Cognizant

Senior Automation Engineer

BASF is the largest chemical producer in the world, supporting a variety of global industries including pharmaceuticals, agriculture, biotechnology, automotive, performance materials, and consumer and home goods.

At the Muskegon GA production facility, I engineered and implemented automation and control strategies for debottlenecking, process safety, product quality, and continuous improvement initiatives through design and specification of software and hardware systems. I supported the Engineering, Operations, and Maintenance departments, providing technical expertise for capital projects, alarm management, instrumentation & controls deployments for preventative maintenance, site control system network management, and troubleshooting of equipment and control logic. I also managed engineering documentation and calibration/interlock testing programs.

► Specified the hardware and software upgrade for the DCS operating system to a virtualized environment 

► Developed and implemented an advanced process control control strategy for quality critical pH control in the site's main product separation train, reducing the rate of product nonconformity

► Commissioned instrumentation and batch processing control for formulated products to meet customer and business requirements

► Replaced obsolete instrumentation and other PCS related hardware and software to the current generation

► Upkeep of engineering documentation and maintenance execution, facilitated with macro programs, Emerson AMS, and Intergraph SmartPlant Instrumentation software

► Supported the site Process Safety Management (PSM) program with Process Hazard Analysis (PHA) and Management of Change (MOC)

BASF

Control Systems Engineer

SUEZ designs, manufactures, and markets chemicals & equipment used in the filtration, separation, and processing of fluids, covering the entire water, wastewater, and process value chain.

Guiding chemical application efficiency, account growth targets, and customer requirements, I worked with clients to boost operational efficiency and meet service needs of treated systems. I provided coaching by training operators on water treatment and best practices for industrial operations, as well as technical support to promote differentiated water treatment solutions.

► Pinpointing growth opportunities with existing clients, I facilitated a projected savings of $10K+ annually in boiler chemical usage from chemical feed automation proposal.

► By providing technical assistance during construction, commissioning, and start-up activities for a combined cycle power plant, I was a key contributor to a potential $300K revenue.

SUEZ - Water Technologies & Solutions

Account Manager

Evonik Corporation develops and manufactures specialty chemicals for customers in North America and internationally.

In this role, I provided technical expertise to identify, troubleshoot, resolve, and implement solutions for daily production challenges and process problems for plant and support groups. I led team field work, monitored and verified tests, and performed DCS programming of alarms, interlocks, control loops and valve tuning, as well as batch recipe/phase logic for process areas. I oversaw active alarm management and the plant process control network and supported hardware, software, and cybersecurity upgrades. I also supported process development projects, new product introductions, compliance, and process changes. 

► To optimize resources, streamline scope requirements, and support cost efficiency, I avoided $25K per quarter in hazardous waste removal by commissioning a waste feed boiler start-up on schedule. 

► In response to failure of production critical assets, I prevented $200K+ in equipment downtime by enabling controls to use a single, high pressure feed pump with two separate reactors. 

► To resolve longstanding technical issues with utilities operations and improve procedures and cost efficiency, I diagnosed and resolved defective valves, non-optimal control, and membrane specification for nanofiltration that degraded water quality that had caused >$100K in costs.

► I increased batch yield of a particularly high volume product by 2% and rate by 20% from modifying control logic of the reaction end trigger. 

► Driving expansion, I was a key member of the support team during the commissioning and operational startup of Wichita’s sister plant in Pasadena, TX with controls for nitrile, non-hydrogenation, and hydrogenation processes. 

► I worked cross-functionally to develop the specification for a multi-year implementation of a process control system migration and $1.5M expenditure.

Evonik

Process Control Engineer

ISTC integrates applied research, technical assistance, and information services to advance pollution prevention, water and energy conservation, and materials recycling and beneficial reuse.

I engaged in a variety of laboratory projects utilizing chemical analytical techniques and equipment, while ensuring productivity in the laboratory and efficient data collection. I advised on experimental designs for academic projects. I also administered SOP and best practices.

► Due to my focus on results and project leadership, I received an Employee of the Year Award.

► I boosted throughput of new fluorescence spectrophotometer by 20% and strengthened accuracy. Working on projects involving absorption instrumentation by automating data formatting, I decreased the time needed for data analysis by 50%.

Rahul Gogia